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Timket and South Ethiopia

Duration
11 Days
Price from
$4,688 pp.
Location
Ethiopia, Africa
Hamer Tribe Ethiopia 2

Trip Highlights

  • Timket Festival in Addis Ababa
  • Cultural immersion in Southern Ethiopia
  • Scenic landscapes of the Omo Valley

What's Included

  • Guided tours
  • Festival attendance
  • 10 night accommodation
Timket, Harar and Southern Ethiopia Adventure

Explore the incredible history and people of Ethiopia with this off the beaten track trip where you will witness the spectacular Timket Festival, see the famous Harar walled city and finish by exploring the different tribes and areas in Southern Ethiopia.

Start the tour by experiencing the Colourful Timket Ceremony in Addis Ababa, before heading to the ancient walled city of Harar for two nights. Harar is the second oldest settlement in Ethiopia and the fourth holiest city in the Islamic world.

Return to Addis and then head down to Ethiopia’s remote untouched south. A veritable paradise for photographers and naturalists, the area is dominated by many different ethnic groups who all share an omotic language as classified by linguistics.

All this in the company of one of our expert tour leaders – Assefa Genetu – who will explain the traditions of the Timket Festivities, make the historical sites come to life and introduce you to the fascinating tribes of the Omo Valley.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 18th January 2025 - Welcome to Addis

Staying at Golden Tulip

On arrival in Addis Ababa in the early morning, you will be collected from the airport by your dedicated, English-speaking guide and your driver, who will then transfer you to the Golden Tulip Hotel where you will stay two nights with breakfast included. After check-in you will be able to relax for the rest of the morning.

After lunch, you will be taken for an afternoon city highlights tour. Stops include the Museum where the bones of ‘Lucy’ are exhibited (very interesting and like some of the country’s other museums, exhibits are impressively maintained and presented); Trinity Cathedral and Mt Entoto Park.

In the evening you will meet up with your guide and attend the beginning of the Timket festival – known as “Ketera” or the Eve of Epiphany. The “Tabot ” (replica of the Ark of the Covenant) is taken out of each church and borne aloft by high priests – usually to the nearest water source – where the communal baptism will happen the next day.

Day 2 19th January 2025 - The Timket

Timket, Addis, Ethiopia

After a leisurely breakfast your tour leader and driver will collect you from the hotel to take you to the spectacular Timket celebrations.

Special passes will have been arranged for you, so that you have optimal positioning for enjoying the events – which take place in Addis Ababa’s Jan Meda district.

Day 3 20th January 2025 - To Harar via Dire Dawa

Day 4 21st January 2025 - Explore Harar

Day 5 22nd January 2025 - Down to the Omo Valley

Day 6 23rd January 2025 - Mago National Park and the Mursi

Day 7 24th January 2025 - Onto Turmi

Day 8 25th January 2025 - The Omo River

Day 9 26th January 2025 - To Konso

Day 10 27th January 2025 - Arba Minch and Lake Champ

Day 11 28th January 2025 - Home Time

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Duration

11 Days

Location

Ethiopia, Africa

Price from

$4,688 pp.

Price Includes

  • An expert English speaking guide throughout the tour.
  • All hotel accommodation in twin / double sharing basis.
  • All meals throughout, except in Addis which is on a breakfast only basis.
  • All the ground transportation and transfers. Comfortable mini buses are used in Addis and Harar. Expedition-equipped 4x4s are used for the South.
  • All entrance fees to museums, and historical and archaeological sites. Plus government taxes and service charges.
  • All third-party activities - including a boat trip on Lake Chamo, and the rangers that will accompany the group in Mago National Park.
  • Drinking water is provided throughout

Price Excludes

  • International and domestic flights
  • Lunch and dinner in Addis
  • Drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature.
  • Single supplements

Cost includes:

  • 2 nights at Golden Tulip
  • 2 nights at Harari Guest House
  • 2 nights at Eco Omo Lodge
  • 2 nights at Buska Lodge
  • 1 night at Paradise lodge
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When to go to Ethiopia

Find out the best time to visit Ethiopia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January in Ethiopia is all about Timket, an annual Christian festival being celebrated throughout the country. It's a spectacular sight to behold. Check out our Timket tour for more information. Temperatures are pleasant at this time of year so it's a great time for touring around much of the country.

February

February marks the end of winter in Ethiopia, so if you're travelling to the highlands pack a few extra layers as it can get cold at night.

March

Temperatures begin to rise in March, making trekking in the Simien Mountains and exploring Lalibela great options this month. There are occasional rain showers but nothing that will really disrupt activities. It's wet in the Omo Valley region between March and June, with muddy roads disrupting travel in this area.

April

April is the start of the short rains, which begin in the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia.

May

The rains arrive in the Bale Mountains National Park and the Rift Valley Lakes during May and June, so this isn't a great time for hiking in these areas. However the downpours are usually in the afternoons, leaving the mornings with blue sunny skies, and plenty of opportunity to explore the rest of the country.

June

The rains continue, which make this a great time for the breeding season of migratory birds, with numerous colourful species to keep an eye out for.

July

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

August

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

September

Whilst the beginning of the month will see the tail end of the rainy season, it's actually quite a good month to travel around Ethiopia, just before peak season kicks in, and whilst the country is still green and beautiful. If you want to see the carpets of yellow Meskel flowers, or witness the colourful Meskel Festival, this is the month!

October

October is the start of the peak tourist season in Ethiopia, bringing with it great weather, pleasant temperatures, blue skies and little rainfall. A perfect time for touring around the country, particularly the Central Highlands and Northern Ethiopia.

November

The cooler temperatures and little rainfall during November and December make them great months for exploring the Omo Valley, with better road conditions and green landscapes.

December

The good weather and travelling conditions continue through December and into January, making this an ideal month to explore the whole country.

Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

Sep 17, 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

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Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

Jul 3, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

Jun 28, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

Jun 5, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

Jun 5, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

Jun 5, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

Jun 5, 2024

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